Myrtle extract effectively inhibited the inflammation and fibrosis of lung parenchyma in both preventive and therapeutic methods. This effect might be due to the reduction of tissue inflammation and inhibition of oxidative stress. More studies are being carried out to find main mechanisms and separation of active compounds.

BackgroundA combination of the oils of sesame, hemp, wild pistachio, and walnut has been used for treatment of skin disorders, including wound burns, in some parts of Kerman, Iran. Evaluation of this remedy in the form of a pharmaceutical formulation in animal models can pave the way for its future application in wound burn healing in humans.ObjectivesThis experimental study investigated the healing potential of a new formula (NF) based on folk medicine from Iran for the treatment of third degree burns in mice. The formula was a combination of the oils of four plants: sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), wild pistachio (Pistacia atlantica Desf.), hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), and walnut (Juglans regia L.)MethodsTwenty-four mice were selected based on simple random sampling. Twenty-five percent of the total body surface area was burned by exposure to boiling water, according to the Walker-Mason method. NF and silver sulfadiazine (the positive control) were applied topically twice a day for 21 days. The burned area in the negative control group was left untreated. Epithelialization time and the percent of wound contraction were measured during the treatment period. The process of wound repairing was evaluated using histological (H and E and trichrome staining) and immunohistological (anti-pancytokeratin) methods.ResultsWhen compared to the controls, NF significantly improved wound contraction after day 10. Epithelialization time in the NF group was significantly faster than in the other groups (20 vs. 25.5 days) (P < 0.001). Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings confirmed the efficacy of the NF.ConclusionsA new therapeutic remedy was introduced for the treatment of burn wounds. Further clinical and molecular studies are suggested to determine the exact mechanism(s) involved in the burn wound healing effect of NF.

Considering the side effects of current anti-inflammatory drugs, novel therapeutic agents are desired. We have succeeded in separating flavonoid-rich fractions with anti-inflammatory effect from fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). In this work, we aimed to carry out further fractionation to find active anti-inflammatory subfractions. Trigonelline content of the plant was determined by spectrophotometric method. Fenugreek seeds were extracted consecutively with petroleum ether, acidified chloroform (ACC), alkaline chloroform (AKC), methanol, and water. ACC fraction, which had exhibited the highest anti-inflammatory effect, was further fractionated using column chromatography. Obtained subfractions were evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw edema (CIPE) method. Animals were pretreated by test compounds, and after 30 minutes edema was induced by subcutaneous injection of 100 µl of 1% w/v carrageenan into the right paw of animals. Volume difference of both paws was measured at different times after carrageenan injection. The concentration of trigonelline was determined as 16.2%. ACC fraction inhibited paw edema significantly in comparison to control (p < .05). Four subfractions (dry weight percentage basis) were selected for pharmacological study. F3 subfraction exhibited the greatest inhibition at 15 mg/kg (p < .001). ACC fraction and F4 significantly inhibited paw edema at doses of 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg (p < .001). Phytochemical studies indicated the presence of flavonoids in ACC and active subfractions. Further separation can lead to finding active components from active subfractions, which probably belong to flavonoid phytochemicals. Considering the gastroprotective effect of fenugreek, we hope the separated fractions also would be free of gastrointestinal side effects.

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Diabetic ulcers (DUs) are a chronic, non-healing diabetes complication that leads to high hospital expenses and, in extreme cases, to amputation. Peripheral vascular diseases, diabetic neuropathy, abnormal cellular and cytokine activity are among the major factors that hinder diabetic wound healing. DUs represent an important challenge in the development of new and efficient wound dressings. The extracellular matrix (ECM) has been effectively used as a scaffold for constructive remodeling of multiple tissues in animal and human. Sheep’s urinary bladder matrix was evaluated for its wound healing activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats using excision model. In this experiment, 48 male Sprague dawley rats weighing 220–250[Formula: see text]g were divided into four equal groups of control, vaseline, diabetics + (10[Formula: see text]mg/wound) and [Formula: see text] (50[Formula: see text]mg/wound). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (45[Formula: see text]mg/kg B.W) solved in 0.05[Formula: see text]M citrate buffer. Seven days after confirming diabetes statue, skin wounds were created on the back of each rat. Rate of wound healing and histological assay using hematoxylin and Eosin staining (H&E) were used for evaluation of the wound healing in different groups. ECM treated animals exhibited significant improvement in both wound area and rate of wound healing when compared to controls ([Formula: see text]). The ECM treated wounds were found to epithelize faster as compared to controls. The sheep’s ECM promotes significant wound healing in male diabetic rats and further studies on this activity in animal models and humans are suggested.

MIP-APTES-MNP was designed and characterized to selectively extract OPPs from plasma samples.

Purpose: Neuroinflammation was indicated in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. Previous reports have also signified that spironolactone has anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the modulatory effects of spironolactone on neuroinflammation and memory loss in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: The β-amyloid protein fragment 25-35 (Aβ) was injected in the dorsal hippocampus (5μg/2.5μl each side) of male Sprague-Dawley rats for four consecutive days to induce memory impairment. Animals have intraperitoneally received spironolactone (10, 25, or 50 mg/kg, N=6/group) or vehicle for 14 days. The passive inhibitory avoidance and the novel recognition tests were used for memory evaluation. Neuroinflammation was assessed by measuring the level of Iba1 protein, a marker of microglial activation, using western immunoblotting. Results: Different doses of spironolactone showed no significant changes in latency times and discriminations ratios in passive inhibitory avoidance and novel recognition tests, respectively, as compared to vehicle. However, spironolactone-treated groups showed significantly lower Iba1 protein levels in comparison to the vehicle-treated group (p<0.01). Conclusion: Spironolactone had a modulatory effect on neuroinflammation through a repressive effect on microglial activation with no valuable effect on memory improvement in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease. The findings of this study suggest that Ab-induced memory loss may not be directly linked to microglial activation. Spironolactone may be a potential candidate to be examined in other neuroinflammatory disorders.

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